Understanding Keigo: The Essential Role of Politeness and Honorific Speech in Japanese Society

 Japanese language and culture are deeply intertwined with concepts of respect, hierarchy, and social harmony. A crucial element reflecting these values is Keigo (敬語) — the system of polite and honorific language. Whether you are navigating formal business settings, customer service encounters, or daily conversations, the proper use of Keigo is indispensable for communicating effectively and respectfully in Japan.

What Is Keigo?

Keigo (敬語) literally means “respectful language.” It is a set of expressions and verb forms designed to convey respect, humility, or politeness depending on the social context and the relationship between speakers. The use of Keigo is not optional but expected in many situations in Japanese society, especially when interacting with superiors, customers, or strangers.

Keigo fulfills several social functions:

• Showing respect to those of higher status or customers.
• Expressing humility when speaking about oneself or one’s in-group.
• Maintaining harmony (和, wa) and avoiding confrontation or disrespect.

This system is one of the most complex aspects of the Japanese language, often posing a challenge for learners. Yet mastering it is essential for anyone who wants to work, live, or do business in Japan.

The Three Main Types of Keigo

Keigo is traditionally divided into three categories, each serving a distinct function:

1. Sonkeigo (尊敬語) — Respectful Language

Sonkeigo is used when speaking about others — typically those who hold a higher social position, such as bosses, clients, teachers, or elders. It elevates the actions of the person you are referring to, showing deference and respect.

Example:

社長はオフィスにいらっしゃいます。
Shachou wa ofisu ni irasshaimasu.
“The company president is in the office.”

This sentence respects the company president by using Sonkeigo for "to be/go" (いらっしゃいます).

2. Kenjougo (謙譲語) — Humble Language

Kenjougo is the counterpart to Sonkeigo but used when talking about your own actions or your in-group (like your company or family). This language lowers or humbles the speaker or their group to show politeness.

Example:

私がご説明いたします。
Watashi ga go-setsumei itashimasu.
“I will humbly explain.”

By using いたします (itashimasu), the speaker humbles themselves to show respect to the listener.

3. Teineigo (丁寧語) — Polite Language

Teineigo is the general polite form used in everyday situations where politeness is required but no special social hierarchy needs to be emphasized. It’s characterized by the -ます (-masu) and -です (-desu) endings.

It does not imply respect or humility, but simply politeness and formality.

Example:

• Casual: 今何してる？ (Ima nani shiteru?) — “What are you doing now?”
• Polite: 今何をしていますか？ (Ima nani o shiteimasu ka?) — “What are you doing now?”

Where and When Is Keigo Used?

Keigo is primarily used in formal and professional settings where showing respect is important. This includes business environments, customer service interactions, formal emails, and official announcements. It helps maintain politeness, social harmony, and clear hierarchy in communication. Outside these contexts, casual language is usually preferred.           

1. Business and Workplace

Keigo is an absolute must in Japanese business environments. Employees must use Kenjougo when referring to their own actions and Sonkeigo when speaking about clients, superiors, or customers.

Example:

• お客様がいらっしゃいました。
  Okyakusama ga irasshaimashita.
  “The customer has arrived.” (Respectful toward customer)
• 私が対応いたします。
  Watashi ga taiou itashimasu.
  “I will humbly assist you.”

2. Customer Service

Japanese customer service culture is famously polite and formal. Staff routinely use Keigo to express respect and professionalism.

Common phrases:

• いらっしゃいませ！ (Irasshaimase!) — “Welcome!”
• お待たせいたしました。 (Omatase itashimashita) — “Thank you for waiting.”

This careful language helps maintain a courteous and pleasant atmosphere.

3. Formal Writing and Business Emails

Written communication in Japan, especially business emails, is often very polite and indirect, relying heavily on Keigo to soften requests and show respect.

Example:

ご返信いただけますでしょうか？
Go-henshin itadakemasu deshou ka?
“Could you kindly reply?”

Using honorific prefixes (ご or お) and humble verbs like いただく make requests polite and respectful.

4. Official Announcements and Media

Public communications such as news broadcasts, official statements, and announcements regularly employ Keigo to maintain formality and professionalism.

Why Is Keigo Important?

• Respect and Hierarchy: Japanese society places great emphasis on social order. Using Keigo correctly reflects your understanding of these norms.
• Professionalism: In business and formal settings, using appropriate Keigo signals your professionalism and good manners.
• Building Relationships: Polite language fosters trust, smooths interactions, and creates a harmonious environment.
• Avoiding Offense: Improper or lack of Keigo can be perceived as rude or disrespectful, potentially damaging your reputation.

Common Questions About Keigo

Q1: Do Japanese people always use Keigo?
A1: No, Keigo is reserved for formal situations. In casual conversations with friends and family, plain or informal language is used.

Q2: Is it rude if I don’t use Keigo?
A2: It depends on context. Not using Keigo in formal settings or with superiors can be seen as disrespectful, but casual contexts don’t require it.

Q3: How can I practice Keigo effectively?
A3: Try listening to business conversations, watching customer service interactions, practicing polite email writing, and doing roleplays.

Q4: Why are there so many different verb forms in Keigo?
A4: Keigo reflects social relationships and hierarchy, so multiple verb forms exist to precisely convey respect or humility depending on the situation.

Q5: Can I use Keigo with friends?
A5: Generally, no. Using Keigo with close friends sounds distant or overly formal. Casual speech is preferred among peers.

Tips for Learners: Mastering Keigo

• Start with Teineigo: Build a strong base in polite language before moving to more complex honorific forms.
• Learn common Sonkeigo and Kenjougo verbs: Many verbs have special honorific and humble forms. Practice these regularly.
• Listen and imitate: Pay attention to Japanese business dramas, customer service videos, or podcasts featuring formal speech.
• Use polite templates: For emails and conversations, start with common polite expressions and gradually personalize.
• Ask native speakers: If unsure, ask for feedback to avoid using Keigo incorrectly.

Conclusion

Keigo is far more than a language skill; it is a window into Japanese culture, embodying respect, humility, and the importance of social harmony. While it may seem daunting, learning Keigo opens the door to meaningful relationships and successful communication in Japan, whether in business, service industries, or everyday life.

If you want to deepen your understanding of Japanese communication, mastering Keigo is an indispensable step. Practice patiently, observe how native speakers use it, and soon it will become a natural part of your Japanese language ability.